A graduation parade in Harrogate today marked the completion of training for over 400 of the British Army’s newest soldiers.
A crowd of around 2,000 family members and friends witnessed the occasion at the Army Foundation College on Penny Pot Lane.
The college provides training tailored exclusively to junior soldiers, who are all under the age of 18 when they join up.
Junior soldiers stand on parade for graduation at AFC Harrogate. Pic MOD Crown Copyright 2022 / Cpl Danielle Dawson RLC
Lieutenant Colonel Simon Farebrother MC, commanding officer of the college, said:
“Those graduating today have proved equal to the test and represent the very best of our nation’s young people.
“They are now ready for their second phase of training which will hone the skills learnt here and develop those required for their chosen trade.”
Pic: MOD Crown Copyright 2022 / Cpl Danielle Dawson RLC
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The event was presided over by Lieutenant General Sir Christopher Tickell, deputy chief of the general staff in the British Army.
The parade, which featured music from the British Army Band Catterick, marked the culmination of months of military training and education at the college.
Families look on at the graduation parade. MOD Crown Copyright 2022 / Cpl Danielle Dawson RLC
A statement by the Military of Defence said:
Harrogate hospital chief Steve Russell to go on secondment“Through leadership development, The Duke of Edinburgh’s award scheme accreditation, sporting prowess, adventurous training, and education — no other military invests the time, energy, and breadth of resources into its soldiers as the British Army does through the Army Foundation College.
“The college is also one of the most effective education establishments in the United Kingdom and, as an Ofsted outstanding institution, it represents the jewel in the crown of the British Army’s training engine.”
Steve Russell. chief executive of Harrogate and District NHS Foundation Trust, is to take up a secondment as national director for covid and flu vaccinations at NHS England.
Mr Russell will replace Dr Emily Lawson in a role that could last up to a year.
He will leave the trust for the time being on Friday next week.
Steve Russell
Angela Schofield, chairman of the trust, which runs Harrogate District Hospital and Ripon Community Hospital, said in a statement today:
“Steve’s new role will take him away from HDFT for at least six months and potentially up to a year.
“I know that, while he is looking forward to this new opportunity, he is eager to return to HDFT.
“We are very fortunate to have a strong executive team and board, which has meant we have the resilience in place that has allowed Steve to take up this opportunity.
“While Steve is away we need experienced leadership to maintain our progress and I am delighted to let you know that Jonathan Coulter, who is currently deputy chief executive and our director of finance, will become acting chief executive, and Jordan McKie, our deputy director of finance, will take up the role of acting director of finance.
Jonathan Coulter
Mr Russell announced the move on Twitter this afternoon.
Some personal news👇👇
I’ll miss colleagues @HarrogateNHSFT and from across our health & care systems. Excited about the opportunity, but a bit daunted at following the rather amazing @Emily_JR_Lawson ! Keen to learn from all colleagues about how we continue her great work. https://t.co/RTJel7DPqc
— #hellomynameis Steve (he/him) 💙 (@steve_r76) February 17, 2022
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Starbeck residents pledge to fight 181-home Kingsley Drive plans ‘tooth and nail’
A heated meeting in Starbeck last night saw local residents question Persimmon Homes about controversial plans to build 181 homes on Kingsley Drive.
The meeting was organised by Kingsley Ward Action Group, a residents’ group formed four years ago to fight the wave of housing applications in the area.
Around 100 people packed into St Andrew’s Church for the meeting, which was chaired by Liberal Democrat district and county council councillor for Starbeck, Philip Broadbank.
Three Persimmon employees attended, as did two highways consultants and a planning consultant, who spoke on behalf of the developer.
Planning consultant Paul Butler, from PB Planning, gave a brief presentation on behalf of Persimmon that outlined its latest plans for the site.
It’s the third time the developer has brought forward plans at this location, which used to form part of Kingsley Farm.
When it was refused by the council in August, Kingsley Ward Conservative councillor Nigel Middlemass called the scheme “the biggest and worst thought out housing site in the area”.
The new application is yet to be validated by the council but Mr Butler said it should be live on Harrogate Borough Council’s planning portal in March, when the public will be able to submit their comments.
The number of homes has been reduced from 217 to 181.
Mr Butler said the amended scheme offered increased open space, widened footpaths and more trees.
Traffic concerns
There were several questions about how the new homes would impact the already-clogged Knaresborough Road, with the plans not offering any significant changes to the road layout.
Residents queried the developer’s previous traffic surveys for the scheme, suggesting they did not give an accurate picture of how many cars use the area.
Resident Brian Souter said
“Four hundred potential vehicles on Knaresborough Road. Where do they go? The roads are not suited to more traffic.”
Ian Greaves said:
“Knaresborough Road is a total standstill and Bogs Lane is a rat run. You [the developers] don’t have to put up with this.”
Highways consultant Geoff Bowman, from Bryan G Hall, defended the methodology used by Persimmon.
He said:
“There has been very extensive surveys of traffic in the area. There is a perception that we are nasty developers and it’s dead easy to get through planning, but the highways authority are rigorous.”
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Local Plan
On several occasions, planning consultant Mr Butler reminded residents that the site is allocated for development in the Harrogate district Local Plan, a council document that outlines where new housing schemes can be built until 2034.
One woman was applauded when she said the Local Plan had been “forced” on the community.
“Residents do not want more development. We do not want any more. The Local Plan has been forced on us. When are our politicians going to do something about the Local Plan that forces homes on people who do not want them?”
Another resident said:
“We don’t need this. Since Brexit we’ve lost a lot of the population. We don’t need this amount of homes.”
Tooth and nail
Whilst Mr Butler and Persimmon focused on the nuts and bolts of the application, such as the types of homes and access, the opportunity to quiz representatives from the developer elicited strong emotions from residents.
John Hansard, from Kingsley Ward Action Group, said residents “will fight tooth and nail” to stop it from happening.
He said:
“People lived here for decades and have had this beautiful view, how do you think they will feel [when it’s gone]?”
Carl Good said:
“Are you pleased that you will upset so many people in this area? Do you understand us?”
In response, Graham Whiteford, from Persimmon Homes, said the developer was “fairly proud of this scheme”.
He added:
“All concerns raised by the council in the refusal have been addressed. It’s unusual for Persimmon to have this amount of green space.”
Photo caption: (Left to right) Paul Butler (PB Planning), Graham Whiteford (Persimmon), Josh Popely (Persimmon), Cllr Philip Broadbank, Catherine Maguire (KWAG) and Chris Watt (Starbeck Residents’ Association)
New pub The Curious Cow of Harrogate to open on April 8The Old Spring Well in Killinghall will reopen as The Curious Cow of Harrogate on April 8 after undergoing a £650,000 refurbishment.
The Revere Pub Company, which is the premium arm of Marston’s, has promised a ‘brand-new premium pub, food and drink experience’, with the creation of 40 jobs.
The Stray Ferret revealed last month the pub, which was built on the site of the former Travellers Rest, was being taken up-market.
The owners have now provided an opening date and further details of the planned changes.
It said in a press release today:
“The venue will be newly reimagined with country chic inspired interiors and stripped back features, including oak flooring, open fires and contemporary finishes.
“Alongside a welcoming interior and cosy nooks, there is also an outside area to make the most of the warmer months.”
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Food will consist of “an assortment of contemporary dishes alongside a variety of pub classics”, plus pizzas, steaks and other options, including Sunday roasts.
Michael Baravelli, general manager at The Curious Cow of Harrogate, said:
Bridal Week signs four-year contract worth £1.2m to Harrogate economy“We can’t wait to throw open the doors and welcome guests in to explore what we’ve created here.
“Providing quality and premium experiences that keep people coming back time and time again is so important to us, and we are looking forward to creating a beautiful space where the community can escape, switch off and enjoy what we have to offer.”
The largest bridal trade show in the UK is set to return to Harrogate for the next four years, in a move that is estimated to be worth £1.2million to the local economy.
Bridal Week will take over Harrogate Convention Centre for three days in September every year, bringing more than 4,000 visitors to the town to browse 350 collections from designers across the world.
The show has been based in Harrogate for 35 years and has grown to be the biggest in the UK.
Wendy Adams, director of Bridal Week at Ocean Media, said:
“Harrogate truly is a market leader. The event combines business and pleasure, and each year the industry takes over the town presenting the largest collection of bridal gowns in northern Europe.
“I go to bridal shows all over the world in Chicago, New York, Milan, Barcelona, Dusseldorf – and they’ve all heard of Harrogate, because of the show.”
The announcement of the four-year contract is a huge boost for Harrogate bridal businesses still recouping losses from the pandemic. The event is estimated to bring an economic impact of around £1.2 million to the local economy over the next four years.
This year’s show will take place between September 11 and 13.
Ms Adams said the central town location set Harrogate apart from its competitors. She said clients could easily head into town in the evening whereas other venues were based on the fringes of cities.
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It’s set to be a bumper year for the wedding industry with many couples eager to tie the knot after delaying during the pandemic.
The convention centre redeployed as an NHS Nightingale Hospital for a year during the pandemic but didn’t treat a single covid patient.
Paula Lorimer, director of Harrogate Convention Centre, said:
‘Smart bins’ to be trialled in Harrogate from this month“It’s tremendous news that this stalwart exhibition is so firmly embedded with our venue for years to come, and that there’s such a strong bounce back for exhibitions and live events.
“The financial impact on our hotels, bars, restaurants and retail businesses is significant after the tourist season ends in summer.”
“Smart bins” which use sensors to send alerts when they need emptying are to be trialled in Harrogate from this month.
The joint project by Harrogate Borough Council and North Yorkshire County Council will see sensors fitted in up to 87 public bins on streets around the Valley Gardens area of the town.
The sensors will measure how full the bins are, as well as their temperature and whether they have become damaged.
Cllr Andy Paraskos, cabinet member for environment, waste reduction and recycling at Harrogate Borough Council, said the sensors will help make the best use of resources and staff time.
He said:
“Understanding when a bin needs emptying or whether it might need inspecting will enable us to make the most efficient use of our resources.
“These sensors will allow us to use the data and focus on those that need to be emptied more often.
“As a result, we’d expect to see a reduction in travel, meaning a saving on fuel costs and a reduction in carbon emissions.”
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The sensors are being funded using cash from £3.6 million awarded to York and North Yorkshire Local Enterprise Partnership from the government’s Getting Building Fund.
North Yorkshire County Council said the trial is a first for the county as well as an early example of studies into how new technologies can be used in public areas for other purposes.
This will include sensors being used to capture live air quality data and monitoring traffic flow.
Sensors will also be used for people counting in town centres to identify busy times and locations to help businesses plan.
Cllr Greg White, executive member for customer engagement at North Yorkshire County Council, said:
Traffic and Travel Alert: Delays expected due to Army Foundation College parade“The smart bins pilot will enable us to assess the time and money saved and any other benefits.
“If it is successful, we will look to extend the scheme to other suitable locations.
“We are at an early stage of the ‘smart places’ project, working alongside borough and district colleagues, but the possibilities of the so-called Internet of Things – embedding sensors in everyday objects to enable them to send and receive data – are hugely exciting.
“These early studies with our partners will help to reveal the potential for systems that can improve the environment, support health and wellbeing and enable more effective delivery of public services.”
Motorists should expect delays around the Army Foundation College in Harrogate as it holds its annual passing out parade.
Delays are expected around the college today from 8.30am to 10am and 1pm to 2pm on Rough Road and Penny Pot Lane.
The Stray Ferret has changed the way it offers Traffic and Travel alerts.
We will now notify you instantly through app notifications and flash tweets when there is an urgent alert. This could include heavy traffic, dangerous weather and long delays or cancellations of public transport.
The alerts are sponsored by The HACS Group.
Harrogate’s Valley Gardens to host spectacular fire and light showHarrogate’s Valley Gardens will host a spectacular series of displays next month that celebrate fire, light and water.
Harrogate International Festivals has teamed up with outdoor events company Culture Creative for the event, which is being billed as ‘The Fire and Light Experience – a trail of blaze and brilliance through the Valley Gardens’.
Taking place from dusk until 10pm on the nights of Thursday, March 24 to Saturday, March 26, it will be HIF’s first event of 2022 and is being part-funded by Harrogate Borough Council and Harrogate Business Improvement District.
Culture Creative specialises in creating shows in heritage and landscape settings. Its clients include Kew Gardens, Blenheim Palace, The National Trust and English Heritage.
Sharon Canavar, Harrogate International Festivals’ chief executive, said:
“The town is famed for its waters, and this arts installation will bring all the elements of nature alive – earth, air, water and fire – in a spectacle of brilliance and blaze.
“With covid having cast a dark shadow for almost two years, we wanted to create a magical experience for the whole family to marvel at. And those who venture into the Valley Gardens will find themselves immersed in a trail of discovery, and one where they will be able to reimagine the natural world around them.
“They will lose themselves in the magic of nature, as each twist and turn reveals a new picture of tranquillity and wonder.”
Tickets for the event, priced at £12 for adults, £6 for 5-16-year-olds, and under-fives go free. You can buy tickets from the Harrogate International Festival website.
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Harrogate man fined for damaging train
A man from Harrogate has been fined for causing £1,093 worth of damage to a stationary train at Harrogate Station last year.
Michael Anthony Burke, 56, pleaded guilty at York Magistrates Court on Monday to causing criminal damage to a LNER train.
The incident occurred on June 11 last year.
Burke, of Nydd Vale Terrace, was fined £120, ordered to pay a victim’s surcharge of £85 and to pay £85 in costs to the Crown Prosecution Service.
He also pleaded guilty to trespassing on the railway lines.
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Burke also pleaded guilty to attempting to enter Crampton Moore Electronics on Commercial Street, as a trespasser with intent to steal.
The court issued a further community order to Burke for the final two offences.
Video contradicts Harrogate council’s claim about wheelie bins and recyclingA video sent to the Stray Ferret appears to contradict Harrogate Borough Council‘s claim that its fleet of bin wagons can not accept wheelie bins for recycling.
Currently, residents in the Harrogate district use blue bags to recycle paper and card and lidless black boxes for tins, plastic and glass.
In some other areas of the country, people use large wheelie bins for recycling.
Today’s storm has once again see recycling left out for collection blown across streets, prompting some residents on social media to call on the council to introduce wheelie bins.
A spokesperson for the council said this month this was not possible. They said:
“Another challenge we would need to overcome is the wagons used for collection. At the moment they cater for black boxes so any change would require adaptation of the fleet.”
However, the video, which was taken in Harrogate this week and sent to us by a resident, shows council workers emptying recycling from black boxes into garden waste wheelie bins and then into the refuse trucks.
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There is no suggestion of any wrongdoing by the bin workers, who are clearly carrying out their jobs efficiently.
After showing the footage to the council, a spokesperson said it operated 10 bin lorries and only two could operate wheelie bins.
Writing today on the Bilton Community Group Facebook page, Matt Scott, the Conservative councillor for Harrogate Bilton Woodfield, explained why the council prefers to use black boxes over wheelie bins.
He wrote:
“When recycling is processed the clean plastic etc. is sold on with the money raised going into council services. Dirty recycling has to go to landfill as it can not be processed. In Harrogate less than one per cent of our plastic goes to landfill. Much of this is down to us all cleaning the recycling before it goes into the box.
“Councils that use wheelie bins have much higher landfill rates often of around 15%. Recycling wheelie bins are often treated simply as bins with the contents not cleaned before being put in. This means higher costs for the council and more landfill waste. I do not want to see either of that happening locally.
“The issue is not as straightforward as it may seem. Any changes would require significant expense for the bins themselves though also changes to how it is collected. This may mean new vehicles, changing routes and working patterns for existing refuse collectors. Any change to bins I would expect to be trialled first in certain areas to see if our excellent plastic purity rates are maintained. If they are not we would be spending money to lose even more money and send more to landfill.”